Nursing, Midwifery, and Mental Health

Welcome

Nursing and Midwifery Education Strategy would like to welcome you to Monash Health. We hope that your placement allows you to consolidate theory and practice in the clinical setting. Educators, Preceptors and Buddy nurses are available to support you on your learning journey and we encourage to make the most of the time you have with us. If you have any questions please do not hestiate to ask our friendly staff who will be more than happy to assist you.

Orientation package

These Undergraduate Orientation packages provide comprehensive information about your Nursing, Midwifery, and Mental Health Placement. It is expected that you read the package before you commence placement to ensure you are well prepared. Please read the package that relates to your placement as it includes information on: Monash Health’s Vision and Values, Patient First, Foundations of Care, Hand Hygiene, Infection Control, emergency response codes, and patient assessment. These documents are quite large so please consider the impact on the environment before you print a copy.

Once you have read the Orientation package you need to complete the Nursing, Midwifery, and Mental Health Undergraduate Nursing Survey. The survey is mandatory and must be completed before you commence placement.

Monash Health is always looking for ways to improve the experience for students. We would appreciate you taking the time to complete the Health Professional Student Survey at the completion of your placement.

Supervision, Rosters and Attendance

Supervision

Monash Health uses a combination of Preceptor and Buddy models of supervision

Buddy model of supervision

For the Buddy model of supervision, you will be allocated a combination of morning and afternoon shifts. At the start of each clinical shift the nurse-in-charge will allocate a nurse to supervise you.

Preceptor model of supervision

For the Preceptor model of supervision, you will be allocated the same shifts as a nurse/s who will supervise you. You could be allocated morning and afternoon shifts across the week and including weekends. Students completing the third year clinical placements may be allocated to night duty shifts.

Students allocated to the Preceptor model of supervision may have Buddy model supervision if your Preceptor is unavailable.

Roster and clinical shift hours

Community units, health services, and some clinical areas may allocate shifts of varying lengths. Start and finish times of all shifts will be detailed on your roster. Please ensure that the number of hours allocated on the roster is consistent with the number of hours required to complete for your placement.

Attendance and leave

If you are absent from clinical placement you must make three notifications:

1. Contact your ward as soon as possible. Many areas are staffed 24 hours a day so you can phone anytime.

2. Contact your Undergraduate Clinical Nurse Educator. Contact details are on your Roster. Each education office has an answering machine so you can leave a message 24 hours a day.

You will also need to provide a medical certificate or a Statutory Declaration. You will need to give your education provider the original document, scan and email a copy to your Undergraduate Clinical Nurse Educator (contact details on the Roster), and keep a copy for your own records.

Make-up shifts for shifts missed during your current placement are strictly to be discussed with the Undergraduate Clinical Nurse Educator and as per your edcuation provider guidelines. Make-up shifts from previous placements are not permitted on your current placement.

Ward, Unit, and Health Services Information

The Ward Information package provides you with an introduction to the area you will be attending. Use this information as a guide to your pre-reading and preparation for placement.

Mental Health

The Monash Health Undergraduate Mental Health Orientation package provides you with information on the unit and health service where you will be attending your clinical placement.

Cranbourne Integrated Care

Fellowship Program

Monash Health Fellowships are available to Monash University and Deakin University undergraduate nursing students. Fellowship students have the opportunity to complete clinical placements across a variety of Monash Health sites; medical, surgical, and specialist areas. Your learning can be individualised to enable you to build on your skills and areas requiring development; become familiar with Monash Health values, policies, procedures, and documentation, and optimise your transtition from undergraduate student to registered nurse.

Applications for the Fellowship program must be submitted to your university. Details can be found on Monash University Moodle, and Deakin University Cloud.